The narrow staircase leading to the fifth floor’s core looked as if it had been carved in haste, like someone had once fled through it centuries ago. Damp stone made every step slippery under their boots, and each creak echoed with something unnatural.

  Lukas led at the front of the formation, Boudica right behind him. The Copas advanced as a block, guarding the flanks, while Alenna hugged the wall, sword low and eyes sharp. Further back, Valquíria and her Valkyries formed a protective half-circle around Leli, who held her Springblade with both hands—steady, yet never lowering her guard.

  — “Something’s off…” — Luiz muttered, eyeing the moss-covered walls.

  The warning came too late. From a crack in the stone, a creature slithered out. Its lower body was a thick serpent’s tail, scales scraping against the steps, while the upper half was humanoid, pale, with a mouth stretched wide, full of serrated teeth.

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  The strike was sudden and brutal. The monster lunged at Lukas, who raised his glaive to block. The sheer force sent him crashing two steps down.

  — “Get up, little brother!” — Luiz shouted, flinging a dagger that sank into the beast’s shoulder.

  Boudica didn’t hesitate. She drove one spear into the ground, vaulted from it, and spun midair, plunging her second spear straight into the monster’s throat. Its screech tore through the staircase like metal grinding on metal.

  Alenna slipped behind it like a shadow, slashing across the serpent tail to cripple its movements. Valquíria came down from above, her fist hammering the side of its skull with enough force to crack bone.

  The beast’s body crashed down the stairs, black blood spilling across the corridor.

  — “Stay sharp,” Luiz said, wiping his blade. — “Where there’s one of these, there’s more.”

  Boudica cast a glance at Lukas, not smiling, only measuring. — “At least you didn’t die on the first strike.”

  He rolled his eyes but pressed on. The core was still ahead… and on the fifth floor, even the smallest mistake could cost everything.

  End of Chapter 2

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